'The Argues' wild duck chase in Hollywood

Filmed without permits, with a bad attitude duck in a lead role and made-up stories instead of a script, our latest Gold Coast movie to make it to Cannes was made in the name of Aussie humour and an around the world holiday.

"In a way it's how not to make a film," says the mirthful director Mark Hembrow, a Gold Coast resident and actor.

Mockumentary, ' The Argues', follows the journey of an out of work actor struggling to get himself a word class agent and starting a wild duck chase instead.

The result is an insight into the world behind the glamour of Hollywood.

But the tongue-in-cheek film was born under David Argues' clothesline as he created his next co-star: a four foot black duck with rope legs, a big yellow beak and 'a really bad attitude'.

His mum, Patricia, sat in the kitchen watching dubiously as he messed about with feathers, interrupting him to plea, "David you've got to get a job."

The actor could only reply, "I know mum, that's why I'm making this duck."

When David finished bringing 'Leon Skanks' to life, he packed up his mum and the puppet and all three embarked on a filming adventure.

Local theatre identity, Steven Tandy, confesses; "We hid Leon the duck in a suitcase to get through customs, and went around the world shooting with no permits.

"We even shot David and the duck in the Italian museum where Michelangelo's David is, in the hope that the Pope is going to sue us, for the publicity."

Gold Coast theatre buffs will know the name Steven Tandy, if not for his role in the Sullivans, then for his lead roles in about twenty-five local plays, his infamous portrayal of Commandant Lassard at Movie World and as former President of Gold Coast Little Theatre.

"But this is my first movie with a duck," says Steven.

Director Mark Hembrow and producer (and wife) Leyla Aziz, set aside 'A-list scripts' and instead set out to make a little low-budget film.

"And it's broken new ground," says Mark with surprise, unfazed at breaking more than a few rules on the way.

"I don't think our backers realised how bizarre this film was going to be.

"We flew around the world with the duck, David and his mother, no script, and a story that evolved based on true facts and some imaginary facts that we got run out of town for in a few countries."

It's a little tricky to make sense of the story amidst the laughter of the tight group of actors, director and producer, as they talk to the crowd at the launch of the Gold Coast Film Festival.

But the synopsis goes something like this; Out of work David Argue is on a quest for an agent. When countless doors are closed in his face, he fabricates a story; leading Hollywood to believe that Ed Tomato (a character likened to Mel Gibson's agent, Ed Lomato) now represents the unknown actor, Leon Skanks.

Leon Skank is actually the name of David Argue's black puppet duck. Maddened by the claims of this 'imposter', Ed Tomato (Steven Tandy) tries to make sense of the tall tale.

Familiar local names and faces abound, even the soundtrack features Palm Beach hip hop singer Thai Scouller AKA Tyz and Mark Hembrow in the original song Didge on Fire.

"It's got the heartbeat of didge and dance with local musicians," says Mark. "It's a celebration of our country and young talent."

No one quite knows how the film has turned out, including the actors. The Gold Coast will get the first look at the World Premiere during the Gold Coast Film Festival.

Steven Tandy doesn't seem to mind, he says with a belly laugh; "I've seen so many versions, I'm sure the one we're going to see (on the 16th of November) will be the penultimate one!"

The 2010 Gold Coast Film Festival features masterclasses, networking events and a line up of 30 films showcasing Queenlsand filmmakers.